Gene cluster of prenyl transferase from Hevea brasiliensis

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, a gene cluster encoding various kinds of prenyl transferase of  Hevea brasiliensis  is obtained, and the nucleotide sequences of these genes are determined. The prenyl transferases are involved in the biosynthesis of isoprene backbone of natural rubber. Therefore, improvement of productivity of rubber can be expected, by transforming plants by the gene cluster obtained in the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cluster of prenyl transferase from Hevea brasiliensis and a gene cluster encoding said enzyme.

2. Related Art

So far, genes of isopentenyl disphosphate isomerase (IPP isomerase), farnesyl disphosphate synthase, trans-type short chaine prenyl disphosphate synthase of geranylgeranyl disphosphate synthase and cis-type prenyl disphosphate synthase have been isolated from Hevea brasiliensis, and functional analysis of the enzymes encoded by these genes has been performed. As to some trans-type prenyl disphosphate synthases derived from animals and prokaryotes, the correlation between the amino acid sequence and the carbon length of the product (trans-prenyl diphosphate) has been elucidated.

As to known documents that have been published in the past, such documents include patent application related to IPP isomerase of Hevea brasiliensis (Japanese Patent Publication No.2000-200276), academic document about cloning of IPP isomerase from Hevea brasiliensis (Soo Kyung Oh et al., J. Plant Physiol. 157(2000) 549-557), academic document about cloning of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Hevea brasiliensis (A. Takaya et al., Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1625(2003)214-220), and academic document about cloning of cis-prenyl transferase from Hevea brasiliensis (K. Asawatreratanaku Eur. J. Biochem. 270(2003) 4671-4680).

The enzyme, which function to catalyze ligating isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) with allyl substrate sequentially, is generally referred to prenyl transferase, because it ligates isoprene unit sequentially. In addition, the term prenyl transferase generally means a concept of the enzyme catalyzing condensation reaction between IPP and an isoprenyl diphosphate (C5n) (allyl substrate) and synthesizing new an isoprenyl diphosphate (C5n+1) in which one more isoprene unit is increased.

Prenyl transferase means a cluster of enzymes that synthesizes variety of isoprenyl diphosphates such as geranyl diphosphate (GPP: C10), farnesyl diphosphate (FPP: C15), geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP: C20), geranyl feranyl diphosphate (GFPP: 25) and hexaprenyl diphosphate. The prenyl transferase serves as basic precursor of various terpenoids by ligating isoprene unit, and located in the mainstream of terpenepenoid biosynthesis. Isoprenyl diphosphates that are produced by various prenyl transferases are shown in FIG. 1. As mentioned above, prenyl transferase according to the present specification comprehensively indicate enzymes catalyzing the reaction of adding one isoprene unit and includes all enzymes such as geranyl diphosphate synthase, farnesyl disphosphate syshtetase, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, geranyl farnesyl disphosphate synthase and hexaprenyl disphosphate synthase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The analysis in regard to the gene cluster of prenyl transferase from Hevea brasiliensis has not been sufficient yet. The object of the invention is to isolate the gene cluster of prenyl transferase from Hevea brasiliensis and to analyze nucleotide sequences of the respective genes constituting the above gene cluster.

The sequence assumed to be included in the gene cluster of prenyl transferase is specified by a syntactic analysis of the information on the gene fragments obtained by EST (Expression Sequence Tags) analysis of Hevea brasiliensis and the information on the known gene database, and said gene homolog is obtained by cloning full length cDNA.

The gene cluster of the present invention encoding prenyl transferases is a gene cluster encoding a group of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of isoprene backbone of natural rubber. Therefore, practical use plants which produce a large amount of natural rubber can be produced by transformation of plants, especially rubber-producing plants, by the gene cluster obtained in the present invention. More specifically, it can be expected to increase the amount of production of natural rubber by producing transformed Hevea brasiliensis by introducing the gene cluster of the present invention. Now herein, “to improve productivity of rubber” means to increase the amount of rubber production by introducing the prenyl transferase gene of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a FIGURE showing isoprenoid diphosphates which are produced by various kinds of prenyl transferases.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Total RNA was extracted from latex of the standard tree and xylem of the current year branch of Hevea brasiliensis so as to prepare cDNA libraries. Exhaustive one-pass sequence analysis was performed on these libraries. Then 16407 EST sequences were obtained from the cDNA library prepared from the latex and 16305 EST sequences from the cDNA library were obtained from the xylem with high accuracy (Total 32442). On the obtained partial sequences, clustering analysis based on similarity between sequences and annotation analysis based on comparison with known genes were performed, and thus an EST database of Hevea brasiliensis was constructed.

In the obtained EST database, the inventors have found EST sequences which are assumed to encode geranyl diphosphate synthase and geranyl geranyl diphosphate synthase. As to these sequences, the inventors have determined the 3′ terminal sequence by 3′-RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) and obtained full-length cDNAs.

A gene coding geranyl diphosphate synthase is represented by nucleotide numbers from 1 to 1074 in SEQ ID NO:1 in the sequence list. The part corresponding to nucleotide numbers from 126 to 1043 in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1 in the sequence list corresponds to the open reading frame. A deduced amino acid sequence of geranyl diphosphate synthase obtained from the nucleotide sequence of the reading frame is represented by amino acid numbers from 1 to 306 in SEQ ID NO:2 in the sequence list. Meanwhile, geranyl diphosphate synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction which biosynthesizes geranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

A gene encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase is represented by nucleotide numbers from 1 to 1662 in SEQ ID NO:3 in the sequence list. The part corresponding to nucleotide numbers from 181 to 1098 in the nucleotide sequence list in SEQ ID NO:3 in the sequence list corresponds to the open reading frame. A deduced amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase obtained from the nucleotide sequence of the reading frame is represented by amino acid numbers from 1 to 306 in SEQ ID NO:4 in the sequence list. Meanwhile, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

A gene encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate obtained from another clone is represented by nucleotide numbers from 1 to 1278 in SEQ ID NO:5 in the sequence list. The part corresponding to nucleotide numbers from 54 to 1043 in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:5 in the sequence list corresponds to the open reading frame. A deduced amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase obtained from the nucleotide sequence of the reading frame is represented by amino acid numbers from 1 to 330 in SEQ ID NO:6 in the sequence list. Meanwhile, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

A gene encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase obtained from another clone is represented by nucleotide numbers from 1 to 1181 in SEQ ID NO:7 in the sequence list. The part corresponding to nucleotide numbers from 54 to 1037 in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:7 in the sequence list corresponds to the open reading frame. A deduced amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase obtained from the nucleotide sequence of the reading frame is represented by amino acid numbers from 1 to 328 in SEQ ID NO:8 in the sequence list. Meanwhile, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

According to recombinant DNA techniques, artificial mutation can be made to a particular site of the original DNA, without changing the fundamental properties of the DNA or in such a way as to improve these properties. As to genes having natural nucleotide sequences provided according to the present invention or even genes having nucleotide sequences different from the natural sequence, artificial insertion, deletion and substitution can be performed in the same manner, and they can be altered to have an equal or improved properties as the natural genes. Moreover, the present invention includes such mutated genes.

More specifically, a gene consisting of a nucleotide sequence in which a part of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a gene in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:1 have been substituted. Further, such a gene has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Even such a gene is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as the gene encodes a protein having the functions as geranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate. Additionally, such a gene hybridizes with the gene shown in SEQ ID NO:1 under stringent conditions.

Similarly, a gene consisting of a nucleotide sequence in which a part of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:3 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a gene in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:3 have been substituted. Further, such a gene has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:3. Even such a gene is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as the gene encodes a protein having the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate. Additionally, such a gene hybridizes with the gene shown in SEQ ID NO:3 under stringent conditions.

Similarly, a gene consisting of a nucleotide sequence in which a part of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:5 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a gene in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:5 have been substituted. Further, such a gene has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:5. Even such a gene is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as the gene encodes a protein having the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate. Additionally, such a gene hybridizes with the gene shown in SEQ ID NO:5 under stringent conditions.

Similarly, a gene consisting of a nucleotide sequence in which a part of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a gene in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 nucleotides in the nucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO:7 are substituted. Further, such a gene has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7. Even such a gene is also within the scope of the present invention, as long as the gene encodes a protein having the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate. Additionally, such a gene hybridizes with the gene shown in SEQ ID NO:7 under stringent conditions.

Those skilled in the art may select conditions for hybridization ad libitum. A membrane onto which a DNA or RNA molecule to be tested has been transferred and a labeled probe can be hybridized in an applicable hybridization buffer. The hybridization buffer may be composed of 5×SSC, 0.1 weight % N-lauroyl sarcosine, 0.02 weight % SDS, 2 weight % blocking reagent for nucleotide hybridization, and 50 weight % formamide, for instance. As the blocking reagent for nucleotide hybridization, for example, commercially available blocking reagent for nucleotide hybridization can be dissolved into a buffer solution (pH 7.5) composed of 0.1 M maleic acid and 0.15 M NaCl to make the concentration of the blocking reagent to be 10%. 20×SSC may be composed of 3M NaCl and 0.3M citric acid solution. SSC may be used preferably at 3 to 6×SSC concentration, and more preferably at 4 to 5×SSC concentration.

Hybridization may be performed at 40 to 80° C., preferably at 50 to 70° C., and more preferably at 55 to 65° C. Washing may be performed using a washing buffer after incubation for several hours or overnight. Washing may be performed preferably at room temperature, and more preferably at the temperature of hybridization. The washing buffer may be composed of 6×SSC+0.1 weight % SDS solution, preferably composed of 4×SSC+0.1 weight % SDS solution, more preferably composed of 2×SSC+0.1 weight % SDS solution, even more preferably composed of 1×SSC+0.1 weight % SDS solution, and most preferably composed of 0.1×SSC+0.1 weight % SDS solution. The membrane can be washed with such a washing buffer and the DNA molecule or RNA molecule hybridized with the probe can be identified by the label used for the probe.

Further herein, a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence in which a part of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 has been deleted, substituted or added means a protein in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 amino acids in the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:2 have been substituted. Further, such a protein has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. Even such a protein is within the scope of the present invention, as long as the protein has the functions as geranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

Similarly, a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence in which a part of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a protein in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 amino acids in the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:4 have been substituted. Further, such a protein has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4. Even such a protein is within the scope of the present invention, as long as the protein has the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

Similarly, a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence in which a part of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a protein in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 amino acids in the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:6 have been substituted. Further, such a protein has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:6. Even such a protein is within the scope of the present invention, as long as the protein has the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

Similarly, a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence in which a part of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:8 in the sequence list has been deleted, substituted or added means a protein in which no more than 20, preferably no more than 10, more preferably no more than 5 amino acids in the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:8 have been substituted. Further, such a protein has no less than 95%, preferably no less than 97%, more preferably no less than 99% homology with the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:8. Even such a protein is within the scope of the present invention, as long as the protein has the functions as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, which biosynthesizes geranylgeranyl diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate as substrate.

The gene cluster of the present invention encoding prenyl transferase can be introduced into such plants as rubber tree to enhance its expression, so that the expression level of gene products of prenyl transferase can be increased in said plants. The pathway, in which various prenyl transferases are involved, is known to be involved in the production of natural rubber by catalyzing the reaction of adding isoprene backbone of natural rubber. Therefore, increase in the amount of rubber production in a rubber tree can be expected by producing said rubber tree transformed by the prenyl transferase gene.

The plant to be introduced with gene of the present invention is not limited to Hevea brasiliensis, the examples of other plants may be guayule, cassava, sunflower, lettuce, Indian rubber tree, and etc., but the target plants to be transformed are not limited to these plants, and transformants into which the gene of the present invention has been introduced can be produced in various plants. Particularly, according to this invention, it is preferable to transform rubber-producing plants, such as Hevea brasiliensis, in order to improve the quality of the rubber obtained from said rubber-producing plants. Rubber-producing plants are known to spread wide variety of families including Asteraceae, Moraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, and Apocynaceae.

As a method for producing transformants, usual methods known in the art can be used. As an useful promoter for activating the introduced gene, the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter widely used in the art, for example, can be used and positioned upstream of the gene of the present invention, which is to be transduced. In many cases, some promoter is required to achieve sufficient expression of the introduced foreign gene. The preferred promoter is not limited to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, and various promoters widely used in the art may also be used. In addition, promoter specific for latex duct is preferably used in order to increase production of rubber.

Furthermore, the vectors which can be used in the present invention may include, but not limited to, vectors such as pIG121-Hm, pBI12, pBI221, pBIN19, pCC22, pGA482, pPCV001, pCGN1547, pJJ1881, pPZP111, pGreen0029, pBI101, pBI121, and pYLTAC7. Transgenic plants can be prepared by introducing such vectors into Agrobacterium, for instance, to have a callus or a plantlet infected, and thus seeds derived from such transgenic plants can be obtained. Further, the transformation method for introducing the plant gene of the present invention into plants is not limited to the Agrobacterium method, but various methods commonly used in the art including the particle gun method and the electroporation method may also be used. Additionally, an example in which a foreign gene is introduced into rubber tree for transformation is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.1996-116977. Therefore, those skilled in the art can produce a transgenic plant, into which the gene of the present invention has been introduced, by making appropriate alterations with reference to the description of Japanese Patent Publication No.1996-116977.

EXAMPLES

(Materials)

Latex and xylem from the current year branch of Hevea brasiliensis standard tree PRIM 600 cultivated in Cikampek, Indonesia were used as a plant sample. The latex was suspended in an equal amount of 2× sampling buffer (0.1M Tris-HCL, 0.3M LiCl, 0.01M EDTA, 10% SDS) immediately after sampling the latex. Also, YKO Heterozygous Essential Strain Collection-Glycerol Stocks (Open Biosystems, Inc) offered commercially was used as a mutant yeast strain.

(RNA Extraction from Hevea brasiliensis)

RNA was extracted from the latex and xylem respectively by the following procedures. Immediately after sampling, the sample (equivalent to 25 ml of latex) suspended in an equal amount of 2× sampling buffer (0.1M Tris-HCL, 0.3M LiCl, 0.01M EDTA, 10% SDS) was centrifuged, and the upper layer constituting the rubber layer was removed. Then, 1.5 equivalent amount of 2× CTAB solution (2% Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB), 1% 2-mercaptoethanol, 0.1 M Tris-HCL (pH9.5), 1.4 M NaCl, 20 mM EDTA) was added. After incubating at 65° C. for 10 minutes, treatment with chloroform/isoamyl alcohol was performed (repeated twice). A ¼ amount of 10 M LiCl was added to the collected aqueous layer and mixed, then incubated at −20° C. for 2 hours (selective precipitation of RNA). It was centrifuged, the precipitation was dissolved into an appropriate amount of TE, then centrifuged, and the supernatant was collected (polysaccharides were removed). Further, the fraction was treated with phenol, phenol/chloroform, chloroform/isoamyl alcohol, and then selective precipitation of RNA by LiCl was performed again. The precipitation was cleaned with 70% ethanol, and dissolved in DEPC-treated water after being dried under reduced pressure. Thus, total RNA derived from latex was obtained.

Also, the phloem of the current year branch was peeled off by a knife to obtain about 1 g of xylem, and it was pound in a mortar with a pestle while cooling with liquid nitrogen. The total RNA derived from xylem was obtained using RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (registered trademark, Qiagen).

The obtained RNA solution was quantified by optical density measurements, and this was confirmed by electrophoresis. A 450 μg of RNA was obtained from 25 mg of latex, and 110 μg of RNA was obtained from 1 g of xylem.

(Preparation of cDNA Libraries of Hevea brasiliensis)

The cDNA libraries were prepared from the RNA samples derived from Hevea brasiliensis latex and xylem by the G-Capping method at Hitachi Instruments Service Co., Ltd. The G-Capping method is a method that can achieve full-length cDNAs at a high percentage.

The cDNA library derived from the latex has the library size of 1.7×10⁵, the insert percentage of 71% (24 samples/agarose gel electrophoresis), and the percentage of full-length cDNA was 82% (toward clones with insert). The size of cDNA library derived from the xylem was 2.9×10⁵, and the percentage of insert was 80% (24 samples/agarose gel electrophoresis), and the percentage of full-length cDNA was 87% (toward clones with insert).

(Sequence Analysis, Clustering Analysis and Annotation Analysis of EST Sequences)

At the Genome Information Science Laboratory of Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences of Kitasato University, exhaustive one-pass sequence analysis was performed on approximately 20,000 clones of the cDNA libraries derived from latex and xylem of Hevea brasiliensis respectively. According to the sequence information obtained from the sequence analysis, clones with no insert and clones failed to determine sequence were removed, thereby high accuracy sequence information was obtained. The latex cDNA library and xylem cDNA library provided 16407 EST sequences and 16305 EST sequences respectively with high accuracy (total 32442).

The obtained partial sequences were subjected to clustering analysis based on similarity between sequences, and annotation analysis based on comparison with known genes, thereby an EST database of Hevea brasiliensis was constructed. A VISUALBIO clustering of NTT Software was used for the clustering analysis. The annotation analysis was performed by homology search using NCBI BLAST. The database used for the search was nr (All non-redundant GenBank CDS translations+PDB+SwissProt+PIR (Peptide Sequence Database)).

In the obtained EST database, EST sequences which are assumed to encode prenyl diphosphate synthase and prenylprenyl diphosphate synthase were found.

(Determination of Sequences at the 3′ Terminal by 3′-RACE)

The sequences at the 3′ terminal were determined by 3′-RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) on each sequences obtained by the analyses above to obtain full-length cDNAs. For 3′-RACE, a 3′-Full RACE Core Set (Takara Bio Inc.) was used. An oligo-dT primer was used for reverse transcription. For amplification by PCR, an oligo-dT primer and a sense primer having sequence identity with a part of known sequences were used. The amplified fragments were obtained from reverse transcription and PCR, then the fragments were subjected to TA cloning into pT7Blue vector, which was succeeded by sequence analysis.

The sequences obtained in this way are as follows; (1) the nucleotide sequence of the gene of geranyl diphosphate synthase (SEQ ID NO:1 in the sequence list), (2) the nucleotide sequence of the gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (SEQ ID NO:3 in the sequence list), (3) the nucleotide sequence of the gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase derived from another clone (SEQ ID NO:5 in the sequence list), and (4) the nucleotide sequence of the gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase derived from another clone (SEQ ID NO:7 in the sequence list).

Additionally, the deduced amino acid sequences of the proteins obtained from the open reading frames of these nucleotide sequences are as follows; (1) the amino acid sequence of geranyl diphosphate synthase (SEQ ID NO:2 in the sequence list), (2) the amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (SEQ ID NO:4 in the sequence list), (3) the amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase derived from another clone (SEQ ID NO:6 in the sequence list), and (4) the amino acid sequence of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase derived from another clone (SEQ ID NO:8 in the sequence list.

(Functional Confirmation by Enzymatic Activity)

Among the sequences obtained by the above-mentioned procedure, as to the candidate gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase shown in SEQ ID NO:3 the inventors produced recombinant protein from the gene, conducted enzymatic reaction using the recombinant protein, and analyzed on the reaction product to confirm the function of the gene.

At first, the candidate gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Hevea brasiliensis was inframe inserted into pColdI vector (Takara) to produce an expression plasmid. Meanwhile, various commercially available expression plasmids other than the pColdI vector such as pGEX, pET can be also utilized as an expression plasmid. The E. coli BL21 (DE3) strain was transformed by the expression plasmid, and the transformants were selected in a selection medium plate containing ampicillin. Meanwhile, as the E. coli strain to be used for the expression of the recombinant protein, various E. coli strains which are commercially available can be used, for example, Origami, Rosetta and Rosetta-gami (Novagen). The transformed E. coli was transplanted onto a LB agar medium containing 50 μg ampicillin, and cultured at 37° C. with shaking. The culture medium was cooled to 15° C. when the value of OD600 reached to 0.4, then it was left for 30 min. IPTG was added to reach the final concentration of 0.1 mM, and it was further incubated with shaking for 24 hours at 15° C. Meanwhile, the conditions for induction such as the temperature of culture and the concentration of IPTG can be altered in various ways. After the incubation, the cell bodies were harvested and disrupted, to obtain the recombinant protein.

Otherwise, the candidate gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Hevea brasiliensis was inframe inserted into pVL1393 transfer vector (Takara) for protein expression using insect baculovirus system, to produce an expression plasmid. Meanwhile, not only the pVL1393 vector, but also various commercially available transfer vectors such as pAcAB3 can be also used. The baculovirus of 2.5×10⁶ cells, such as Sf-9, was seeded onto a 25 cm² flask for cell culture, and it was settled for 30 minutes at room temperature. After confirmed that the cells were attached to the flask, the medium was changed by 1 ml of serum-free medium. The Sf-9 cell was transfected with the transfer vector inserted with the candidate gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase and the baculovirus genomic DNA, using the lipofection method. The DNA was absorbed to the cells for 1 hour at room temperature with shaking periodically, 5 ml of medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum was added, and cultured at 28° C. for 4 days. After completion of the culture, the supernatant containing virus was recovered, and used as a virus stock. For the virus stock contained non-transformants as well, it was purified by plaque assay. The Sf-9 cell (2.5×10⁶ cells) was infected with the purified recombinant virus, and then it was cultured in a suspension for 72 hours at 28° C. After completion of the cell culture, cells were recovered and disrupted to obtain the soluble recombinant protein.

Using the soluble protein thus obtained, the enzymatic activity of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase was determined using the method described in a literature (Oh, (2000) J. Plant Physiology, 157, p 535). In concrete, an appropriate amount of the soluble recombinant protein was added into a reaction solution containing 50 mM phosphate Buffer (pH7.4), 5 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM KF, 5 mM iodoacetamide, 0.1% (w/v) Triton X-100, 10 μM ¹⁴C-IPP and 5 μM FPP, then it was reacted for 4 hours at 30° C.

The reaction product was extracted by butanol, it was incubated overnight at 37° C. for hydrolysis using potato acid phosphatase (Sigma) thereafter. The hydrolyzed reaction product was extracted with hexane, which was developed on reversed phase TLC plate using a developing solvent consisting of acetone : H₂O=9:1. The TLC plate was exposed to an imaging plate, and the radioactivity was analyzed using BAS1500 imaging analyzer (Fuji). The radioactive reaction products were identified by comparison with standard samples which were visualized with iodine (such as farnesol, geranylgeraniol).

The recombinant protein of the candidate gene was expressed as described above, the activity as a prenyl transferase was determined using ¹⁴C-labeled IPP, the reaction product was further analyzed, thereby the inventors tried to identify the function of the gene shown in SEQ ID NO: 3. As the this result, among the EST sequences derived from Hevea brasiliensis, as to the gene of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase shown in SEQ ID NO:3, the function of the gene could be identified using the enzymatic activity.

INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY

According to the present invention, a gene cluster encoding various kinds of prenyl transferase of Hevea brasiliensis was obtained, and the nucleotide sequences of these genes were determined. The prenyl transferases are involved in the biosynthesis of isoprene backbone of natural rubber. Therefore, improvement of productivity of rubber can be expected, by transforming plants by the gene cluster obtained in the present invention. 

1. An isolated protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 8. 2. A gene encoding the polypeptide according to claim
 1. 3. An isolated gene consisting of the nucleotide sequence of nucleotide 54 to 1037 of SEQ ID NO:
 7. 4. An isolated gene consisting of the nucleotide sequence of nucleotide 1 to 1181 of SEQ ID NO:
 7. 5. A transgenic plant, wherein the productivity of rubber in the plant is improved by introducing the gene according to any one of claims 2 to 4 into said plant.
 6. A method to improve the productivity of rubber in a plant, the method comprising introduction of the gene according to any one of claims 2 to 4 into said plant. 